Ceri Radford is Assistant Comment Editor of the Telegraph.

Harry Potter bookmarks for Madeleine?

So JK Rowling is apparently considering putting Madeleine McCann bookmarks in copies of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the final instalment of boy wizardryÂ due to hit the shelves on July 21st.

The next Harry Potter book may carry charitable bookmarks

Is it wrong to feel squeamish about this?

Leaving aside the uneasy juxtaposition of a missing child in the real world and a fictional romp through the world of wizards, trolls, talkingÂ snakes and quidditch, it would be a magnanimous act from one of the few authors withÂ such substantial international clout. So what's the problem?

It goes without saying that what has happened to the McCann family is tragic there's no need for further platitudes here and that all channels to help them find their daughter should be exhausted. It's natural for the parents to do everything in their powers to keep the investigation going.

But it just feels a bit warped that charitable trinkets such as yellow ribbons or bookmarks, which in all likelihood will have no tangible impact on Madeleine McCann's fate, may be given more precedence than $3 mosquito nets or sachets of rehydration salts that can and do save the lives of millions of children whose suffering is just as real.